Macroalgae Identification - BioMara ID.pdf · on the intertidal zone or rocky shore. It is a Brown macroalgae. The identifying features are: the mid-rib is present with round shaped

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Macroalgae IdentificationIdentifying features.

Brown Macroalgae

Laminaria digitata also known as Oarweed/ Tangleweed/ Kombu/ Sea girdle/Sea ribbon or Kelp.It can grow up to 2 meters in a strong current.It is found in the subtidal zone.It can be also found in the intertidal zone.It is a Brown macroalgae.

The identifying features are: ► the frond is large, flat wide and leathery ► there is no mid-rib ► the stipe is flexible and smooth ► it appears glossy and dark brown in colour

Saccharina latissimaalso known as Sea belt/ Sugar kelp/ Sweet kombu/ Kombu royals/ Sea tangle/ Sugar wrack/ Poor Man’s Weatherglass/ Oarweed or Kelp.It is found in the subtidal zone.It can grow up to 4 meters long.It is a Brown macroalgae.

The identifying features are: ► the frond is long, undivided and wavy and it looks like a giant leaf

► it has no mid-rib ► it has flexible stipe ► it is golden brown in colour ► it has a root like holdfast

Fucus vesiculosusalso known as a Wrack. The common name is Bladderwrack/ Sea wrack/ Bladder fucus/ Dyers’ fucus/ Red focus/ Swine tang.It can grow up to 2 meters in length.It is usually found with Ascophyllum nodosum on the intertidal zone or rocky shore.It is a Brown macroalgae.

The identifying features are: ► the mid-rib is present with round shaped air bladders

► the air-bladders are usually paired ► the fronds are wavy and repeatedly branched ► it is classified as a brown macroalgae but it can appear Olive, Dark Green or Brown

► it contains a short thick stipe

Fucus serratusalso known as a Wrack. The common name is Ser-rated wrack/ Toothed wrack/ Saw wrack.

It can grow up to 60 centimeters in length.It is found on the intertidal zone usually on the sheltered coastline.It is a Brown macroalgae.

The identifying features are: ► the fronds are flat with a mid-rib ► the edges of the fronds are serrated or jagged

► they have no air-bladders ► they are classified as Brown macroalgae but may appear Olive, Dark Green or Brown in colour.

Ascophyllum nodosumalso known as a Wrack. The common name is Egg wrack/ Knotted wrack/ Asco/Rock weed/ Yellow weed/ Sea whistle/ Yellow tang.

It can grow up to 2 meters long.It can be found growing on the intertidal zone or on rocky shores.It can be located along with Fucus vesiculosus.It is a Brown macroalgae.

The identifying features are: ► it has a narrow tough leathery flat fronds without a mid-rib

► it has swollen egg shaped air-bladders which are found along the fronds

► the fronds are repeatedly branched ► it is classified as Brown macroalgae but it appears Olive- Green in colour

Green Macroalgae

Ulva intestinalis also known as Gutweed or Sea grass.It can grow up to 30 centimeters in length.It is on the splash or intertidal zone.It is a Green macroalgae.

The identifying features are: ► the frond is long and tubular like ► the fronds do not divide into each other ► big groups of Ulva intestinalis may be seen growing together

► it is green in colour

Ulva lactucaalso known as Sea lettuce.It is light and gentle in texture.It can grow up to 18 centimeters in length and 30 centimeters in width.It can be found growing in the intertidal zone.It is a Green macroalgae.

The identifying features are: ► it has a crumpled frond ► the thallus has a flat blade–like appearance ► it has a holdfast ► it is bright green in colour but older species are darker in colour ► it looks like a small lettuce leaf ► it can be seen drifting in the water

Red Macroalgae

Palmaria palamataalso known as Dulse/ Dillisk/ Shell dulse/ Sea Grass.It can grow up to 50 centimeters in length.It can be found in the subtidal zone. It can also be found in the intertidal zone.It can be eaten by humans.It is a Red macroalgae.

The identifying features are: ► it has a tough flat frond ► it has blades without a mid-rib ► the fronds can be alone or a few fronds together

► the holdfast is present ► it is purplish red or dark brown in colour

Chondrus crispusalso known as Irish Moss/ Carrageen/ Carragheen/ Carrageen moss/ Jelly Moss/ Mousse d’Irlande.It can grow up to 22 centimeters long.It is a bushy algae growing not higher than 15 centimenters in height.It is found in in the subtidal zone.It can also be found on the intertidal rocky shoreline.It is a Red macroalgae.

The identifying features are: ► it has flat leathery fronds with wide rounded tips

► it may appear green in strong sunlight ► it has un-branched stipe gradually expanding into a fan-like blade

► it has fronds repeatedly branched which appear bushy

► it has a short stipe

Coralline Algae/ MaerlIt can grow up to 4-5 centimeters across and are bright pink in colour when alive.It is found in the subtidal zone especially sand, mud or gravel in areas with strong wave action.It is very difficult to find as it is very rare.It is a Red macroalgae.

The identifying features are: ► it is unattached coralline algae and can lie at the bottom of the sea

► it is grey when dead ► it has branches typically less than 1 millimeter in diameter.

► it is very brittle with a calcareous skeleton

Laminaria digitata also known as Oarweed, Tangleweed, Kombu, Sea girdle, Sea ribbon or Kelp.

(image 16)

Saccharina latissima also known as Sea belt, Sugar kelp, Sweet kombu, Kombu royals, Sea tangle, Sugar wrack, Poor Man’s Weatherglass, Oarweed or Kelp.

(image 17)

Fucus vesiculosus also known as Wrack, Bladderwrack, Sea wrack, Bladder fucus, Dyers’ fucus, Red fucus, Swing tang Oarweed or Kelp.

(image 18)

Fucus serratus also known as Wrack, Serrated wrack, Toothed wrack or Saw wrack.

(image 19)

Ulva intestinalis also known as Gutweed or Sea grass.

(image 20)

Ulva lactucaalso known as Sea lettuce.

(image 21)

Palmaria palamata also known as Dulse, Dillisk, Shell dulse or Seagrass.

(image 22)

Chondrus crispus also known as Irish moss, Carrageen, Carragheen, Carrageen moss, Jelly moss or Mousse d’Irlande.

(image 23)

Coralline algae also known as Maerl.

(image 24)

Ascophyllum nodosumalso known as Wrack, Egg Wrack, Asco,Knotted Wrack, Rock weed, Yellow weedYellow tang or Sea Whistle.

(image 25)

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